Peres: Unity Our Most Important Strength

President Shimon Peres on Sunday made his traditional Pesach visit to the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef.

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Yaakov Levi , 20/04/14 13:46

Peres speaking with Rabbi Yoseph

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President Shimon Peres on Sunday made his traditional Pesach visit to the Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yoseph. During his visit, Peres stressed the importance of maintaining unity among the Jewish people. “We are not a big people, and we have known much suffering and destruction,” Peres said. “We cannot let the differences between us harm our unity.

“What keeps us safe is not our size but the importance of our moral and spiritual values,” Peres said. “The Jewish people must base itself on the Ten Commandments, and on the values of promoting peace and spreading Torah learning.”

Rabbi Yoseph said that it was a great honor for him to be hosting Peres. “Your name will be inscribed in the history of the Jewish people as one who has dedicated his life to the Jewish people and sacrificed for them and for the state. Your traditional visits here prove your ability to unite all parts of the nation, and the honor you show to Jewish tradition and to the rabbis.

“Especially during these days when there are those who are causing a rift in the Jewish people, the President has the ability to unify the people,” Rabbi Yoseph said. “I wish to bless the President with a long life, and success in all you do. May you have many years of good, stable health.” Peres said he hoped Rabbi Yoseph would work towards that unification as well.

Rabbi David Lau, Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi, is currently away from home, sources told Arutz Sheva. Peres plans to visit with him either before the last day of Pesach, or immediately after.